Cyclone Duo Splits Matches At ITA Regionals

NORMAN, Okla. – The Iowa State duo of Samantha Budai and Ksenia Pronina went 1-1 in action Friday at the ITA Regionals.

Budai and Pronina, who were playing together for the first time, got off to a hot start in defeating the Nebraska duo of Izabella Zgierska and Maike Zeppernick. The Cyclone duo opened up a 5-0 lead in the match and went on to win 8-3, becoming the first ISU tandem to advance at ITA Regionals since Maria Macedo and Simona Cacciuttolo in 2011-12.

Budai and Pronina were forced inside in the second-round match because of rain and ended up being eliminated from the tournament after dropping an 8-3 decision to Tulsa’s Rongrong Leenabanchong and Maria Sant’Anna.

Because of the rain in the area, only doubles matches will be played today. Pronina will face Oklahoma’s Whitney Ritchie in singles play Saturday.